Conformable vehicle display

ABSTRACT

A conformable vehicle display includes a flexible display screen coupled to a substrate. The substrate is a curved transparent substrate that is adapted to be coupled to a vehicle component having a curved exterior surface. The flexible display screen is at least partially separate from the exterior surface of the vehicle component and has a luminescent display. The exterior surface of the vehicle component is visible through the flexible display screen and the substrate when the flexible display screen is not activated. The flexible display screen may be a transparent organic light emitting diode display device.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the art of displays and morespecifically to displays used in vehicle interiors. Still morespecifically, the present invention relates to displays which may beapplied to a variety of vehicle interior surfaces, such as theinstrument panel, consoles, and the like, and wherein the displayedinformation can be pictures, numerical data, warning information,educational or entertainment material, and other information useful tothe vehicle's driver and/or to passengers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A wide variety of information about a vehicle, its performance,maintenance, orientation, and the condition of its numerous systems(fuel, door closure, temperature) and the like have been collected anddisplayed within vehicle interiors for many years. In recent years, withtechnology developments accelerating at heretofore unbelievable rates,the types of information collected, the accuracy thereof and the methodsfor displaying the information have also been increasing. Examplesinclude compass and mirror technology and the combination thereof, wherecompass headings are displayed on the surface of the vehicle interior.

These various examples of information collection and/or display areprovided purely for purposes of establishing a general background fromwhich the display improvement of the present invention can beappreciated. At present, the displays themselves, wherever they havebeen located, involve hardware and systems which are typically designedfor specific applications for reasons of size, attachment, supplyingpower thereto or the like. Little flexibility currently exists for usingconformable display surfaces in a variety of vehicle locations. Further,other conventional display technology (e.g., liquid crystal display(“LCD”), light emitting diode (“LED”), etc.) incorporate a lens and islocated in a module (e.g., wherein the lens is a first or exteriorsurface and the display is a second or inner surface). (The lens istypically used to cover or obscure circuit boards and the like.)Additionally, conventional display technology (particularly LCDdisplays) are only used in a flat and/or non-flexible surfaceapplication.

To provide a reliable, widely adaptable, self-illuminating vehicledisplay that is less expensive, has higher contrast, and uses lessenergy than conventional displays (e.g., LCDs, and the like) and avoidsthe above-referenced and other problems would represent a significantadvance in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A primary feature of the present invention is to provide a vehicledisplay which provides interior designers with enhanced flexibility andaesthetics.

Another feature of the present inventions is to provide a display systemwhich requires little space and which may be located in a wide varietyof locations within a vehicle interior.

Another feature of the present inventions is to move the display to thefirst surface and provide a vehicle display that does not require alens.

A different feature of the present inventions is to provide a displaywhich may be placed over, rather than within, a vehicle interiorcomponent and may resemble a contoured surface profile.

Yet another feature of the present inventions is to provide a displaysurface which yields a high quality display of any one or more kinds ofdata, including but not limited to safety, vehicle condition,entertainment, educational and status data.

Another feature of the present inventions is to provide a display whichmay be installed using assembly techniques which are commonly used toinstall trim covers, including installation on curved surfaces, whetherthey be convex or concave.

How these and other objects of the present inventions are accomplished,individually, collectively or in various subcombinations will bedescribed in the following detailed description of preferred andalternate embodiments, taken in conjunction with the FIGURES. Generally,however, they are accomplished by using a thin, flexible display screenor sheet (such as organic light emitting diode (“OLED”), LCD material,flexible LCD, thin film electro-luminescent (“TFEL”), or other suitabledisplay technology, and preferably organic sheet of light-emitting diodematerial. The display may be in any shape (e.g., square, circular, oval,etc.) and may be applied over a variety of interior surfaces, includingbut not limited to the instrument panel, consoles, door, pillar, sidetrim panels, etc. More than one such display sheet may be employed fordisplaying the same or different information. The display screen can bethe first surface (e.g., the exterior surface exposed to the passengercompartment), recessed behind a plastic (protective) substrate, sprayedor poured into a recess (e.g., OLED), insert molded, etc. Theinformation displays can be fixed in place using the same trim hardwareas is currently used to cover the pillar with leather, vinyl, fabric,foam and other cover materials. Alternatively, the display sheet may beattached using mechanical fasteners (such as snaps, screws, clips,etc.), other fasteners (such as Velcro® hook and loop fasteners),sewing, adhesives, etc. Also, the display sheet can be insert moldedalong with a fabric material or other aesthetic or functional article.This ease of assembly makes adoption of the display to different typesor sizes of vehicles much easier than would be the case in conventionalapplications (e.g., if deep recesses, holes, apertures, etc. wererequired to receive thicker display devices). Also, protecting thedisplay is intended to enhance reliability and reduce cost associatedwith damaged displays. The color of the display sheet can also becoordinated with the remainder of the vehicle interior. Other ways inwhich the various features of present invention can be accomplished willbe described later herein, and still others will appear to those skilledin the art after they have read this specification. Such other ways aredeemed to fall within the scope of the present invention, if they fallwithin the scope of the claims which follow. Additionally, the displayedimage may be provided by ultraviolet (“UV”) light being projectedthrough a substrate with or without an insert or over-molded fabric.

The present invention further relates to various features andcombinations of features shown and described in the disclosedembodiments. Other ways in which the objects and features of thedisclosed embodiments are accomplished will be described in thefollowing specification or will become apparent to those skilled in theart after they have read this specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will become more fully understood from the followingdetailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle and instrument panel havingvarious vehicle display options;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an instrument panel having a vehicledisplay;

FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of information that may be depictedon a vehicle display;

FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of information that may be depictedon a vehicle display;

FIG. 5 is a partial schematic sectional view of a substrate having adisplay screen;

FIG. 6 is an exploded sectional view of a vehicle display having asubstrate, display screen, and a fabric layer; and

FIG. 7 is a partial sectional view of a vehicle display having asubstrate and a display screen.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED AND OTHER EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Before beginning the detailed description of the preferred and alternateembodiments of the present inventions, several general comments can bemade about the applicability and scope thereof. First, as indicatedabove, the location of the display of the invention may be widelyvaried, and, in fact, can be on practically every interior trim surface.Examples, for illustration purposes rather than by way of limitation,include the instrument panel, the steering column, overhead systems(including the headliner or sun-roof cover, etc.), consoles, door,window, windshield, etc.

Second, the number of displays can vary. For example, a display may beprovided for the driver, while instrument panel and/or seat displays maybe provided for first or second row passengers. Since the number ofdisplays can be varied, the types of data or information displayedthereon can also be varied, so that each display screen or sub-groupingof display screens can show different information.

Third, a preferred screen material is a flexible, organic LED (OLED)screen such as that available from Pioneer, Kodak, DuPont, or Philips.(Alternatively, the flexible LCD is available from Philips, and the TFELis available from Planas.) Such OLED display screens may be transparent,such as a transparent organic light emitting device available fromUniversal Display Corporation that is used in an exemplary embodiment.The primary attributes of display screens of the present inventions arethat they be thin, flexible (or moldable) enough so that they may beapplied to either planar or curved surfaces and that they providesufficient clarity of the information or data to be displayed. Black andwhite, other monochromatic displays, or full color display screens arewithin the scope of the present invention.

Fourth, the manner of attachment of the display to the vehicle interiorcan also be widely varied. Several non-limiting examples are describedhere. One could be a generally planer display that replaces conventionalcockpit clusters. Another would be a curved (almost semi-circular)display screen adapted to be coupled to the interface between thewindshield and the dashboard or to the dashboard. The back side of thescreen is shaped to match the exterior surface of the pillar facing thedriver. The screen can be held in place using trim fastener strips orother components known in the vehicle art, and in an especiallypreferred embodiment is affixed to the pillar at the same time theremaining trim is applied, thereby eliminating the need for anadditional manufacturing, step. A display screen of the presentinvention can also be adhered (using a suitable adhesive, e.g., a liquidadhesive), sewn, clipped, snapped or fastened to the desired interiorsurface either during initial fabrication or in a separate, subsequentstep. Two-part fasteners, e.g., Velcro® hook and loop fasteners, can beused for the removable attachment of the display screen to the trimsurface.

Fifth, the source and type of information to be displayed on thedisplays of the present invention can also be varied widely. One exampleis to provide the driver with vehicle information collected inside oroutside of the vehicle. Another example is to provide vehicleperformance (e.g., speed, RPM, etc.) information to the driver. Both ofthese examples have the obvious advantage of eliminating the need forthe driver to look and search downward to observe this type ofinformation, thereby decreasing the likelihood that an accident wouldoccur resulting from the driver's eyes being taken “off the road.”.Other examples include providing the display of vehicle condition (e.g.,temperature, heading, fuel levels, etc.), ambient conditions (e.g.,temperature), safety information (e.g., tire pressure or wear, low fuel,overheating, low oil, excessive speed, tire slippage, etc.). Other usesfor the display of the present invention are also included and will bereadily appreciated by present and future vehicle designers after theyread this specification.

Sixth, the particular type of data gathering, generating or processingcan vary as widely as the types of information. For example sensors canbe used to capture internal or external information which are thenprocessed for display on the display screen. The information gathering,generating or processing systems, in and of themselves, do not form partof the present invention. They can be self powered (e.g., by one or morebatteries), solar powered, or coupled to the vehicle's electricalsystem.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a vehicle 10 with a passenger compartment 12includes an instrument panel or dashboard 14, a steering wheel assembly16, and a plurality of information displays (shown as an informationdisplay 18, a forward information display 20, and a dashboardinformation display 22). According to a preferred embodiment, theinformation displays described herein are configured to replaceconventional analog and liquid crystal display (“LCD”) instrumentpanels.,

According to an exemplary embodiment, an instrument panel cluster (shownas information display 18) is coupled to dashboard 14 and configured tointegrate vehicle or environmental information (e.g., tachometer,speedometer, and the like) (see FIG. 3). Information display 18 ismoveable between a stowed position (where display and dashboard 14provides general planer surface) and a operational or deployed position(FIGS. 1 and 2). According to a preferred embodiment, informationdisplay 18 incorporates organic light emitting device (“OLED”)technology. The OLED is made from a series of organic, thin filmsbetween a pair of conductors. When electrical current is applied to theconductors, light is emitted. Information display may be monochrome orcolor. According to a preferred embodiment, information display 18incorporates transparent OLED technology so that information display 18can be transparent or translucent (e.g., tinted).

According to an exemplary embodiment, a screen 31, which may have OLEDtechnology, is mounted on a rigid substrate 24, which is configured tosupport the screen 31 and to provide protection to the OLED itself (seefor example FIG. 7). According to a preferred embodiment, informationdisplay 18 includes a frame 32 (which may be located on 1 or more sidesof information display 18), a pivot 34, and a ribbon cable (orover-molded wires, screened-on circuits, and the like) configured toprovide data and power to the OLED. According to a preferred embodiment,a tachometer and speedometer use digital technology to graphicallyrepresent analog information (e.g., digital animation of analog gauges).The OLED information display 18 digitally integrates the tachometer andthe speedometer into the same graphic image or scheme, therebytransferring the conventional analog information to a digitalrepresentation. The display of the tachometer and speedometer can berelated in a continuous image and communicated simultaneously (e.g.,sharing a common linear line and digitized analog “needles” that areshaped based on the relative road and engine speed data and theirmathematical relationship). According to a preferred embodiment,information display is rotated to approximately 65 degrees.Alternatively, the information display can be configured to be angled atany of a variety of orientations.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, forward information display 20 is located atthe interface of dashboard 14 and the windshield 26, and is configuredto provide vehicle or environmental information such as navigationinformation (e.g., a map, directions, compass information and the like,which can be tied to a global positioning satellite (“GPS”) system),environmental information (e.g., current weather information, forecastinformation, and the like), vehicle information (e.g., system status,open door information, wheel air pressure, fuel level, oil pressure,battery charge information, and the like), business operation (e.g.,stock information and the like), entertainment information (e.g.,volume, radio or recorded information, and the like), etc.

According to a preferred embodiment, forward information display 20incorporates OLED technology. Preferably, OLED technology is coupled(e.g., bonded, fastened, insert molded, etc.) to or into a rigidsubstrate (e.g., translucent or transparent). The substrates 24 or 28can be any of a variety of moldable materials. Preferably, substrates 24or 28 are acrylic, polycarbonate, or other clear moldable material.Alternatively, substrates 24 or 28 are tinted. Alternatively, the OLEDsheet or screen can provide the first surface (i.e., exposed to theinterior of the vehicle), which may be held in a frame or mounted to asubstrate. Alternatively, the OLED material is sprayed or poured into arecess in the substrate. Alternatively, the OLED screen is insert moldedwith the substrate, which may also include a fabric material or othermaterial insert molded therewith. FIG. 5 shows the screen 31 disposed onsurface of substrate 28, but in other embodiments the screen may beinsert molded to be placed in a center region of ,the substrate.

According to an alternative embodiment, forward information display 20includes rear projection technology that is configured to display theinformation on a rigid substrate 28. As shown in FIG. 1, forwardinformation display 20 is disposed at the interface between windshield26 and dashboard 14. Alternatively, forward information display 20 canextend up along or towards windshield 26 (e.g., when substrate 28 istransparent to provide full viewing access).

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 dashboard information display 22 isconfigured similar to forward information display 20. According to apreferred embodiment, dashboard information display 22 incorporates OLEDtechnology. Preferably, OLED technology is coupled (e.g., bonded,fastened, insert molded, etc.) to or into a rigid substrate (e.g.,translucent or transparent). The substrates 24 or 28 can be any of avariety of moldable materials. Preferably, substrates 24 or 28 areacrylic, polycarbonate, or other clear moldable material. According toan alternative embodiment, dashboard information display 22 incorporatesrear projection technology. Dashboard information display 22 may beconfigured to display any of a variety of vehicle or environmentalinformation (e.g., such as that discussed above with regard to forwardinformation display 20).

According to an alternative embodiment, information display 18, forwardinformation display 20, and/or dashboard information display 22incorporate insert molded fabric 29 configured to provide a textured oraesthetic appearance. Referring to FIG. 6, according to an exemplaryembodiment, the screen 31 disposed in a recess 30 in substrate 28 priorto fabric being integrally molded with substrate 28. Alternatively, theOLED is integrally molded with the substrate, which may also include afabric material or other material insert molded therewith.

According to an alternative embodiment, the vehicle information displays(e.g., information display 18, forward information display 20, and/ordashboard information display 22) incorporates ultraviolet (“UV”)reflective technology, which uses UV reflective or responsive symbols inthe interior of the vehicle that are illuminated by UV lights which areconfigured to illuminate the pertinent graphic symbols (e.g., warninglights and the like).

According to an alternative embodiment, the fabric wrapped substrate orfabric insert-molded substrate is configured to allow the image to beprojected therethrough (e.g., rear projected). The image may beconfigured to project through the fabric, whereby the fabric is capableof allowing the light to “perforate” through. The image may be projectedfrom inside of the instrument panel or dashboard, which eliminates theconventional LCD screen and its protective lens. As such, the displayprovides structural support to the passenger compartment interior butstill “thin” (or otherwise dimensional) to the image or light to projectthrough.

It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement ofthe elements of the OLED vehicle display as shown in the preferred andother exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a fewembodiments of the present inventions have been described in detail inthis disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosurewill readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g.,variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions ofthe various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, useof materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departingfrom the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited.For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed ofmultiple parts or elements show as multiple parts may be integrallyformed, the operation of the interfaces (e.g. clamps, etc.) may bereversed or otherwise varied, the length or width of the structuresand/or members or connector or other elements of the system may bevaried, the nature or number of adjustment positions provided betweenthe elements may be varied (e.g. by variations in the number ofengagement slots or size of the engagement slots or type of engagement).It should be noted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system maybe constructed from any of a wide variety of materials that providesufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors,textures and combinations. It should also be noted that the displaysystem may be used in association with a dynamic display, oralternatively other, fixed and non-movable displays or any of a widevariety of other surfaces in any of a wide variety of otherapplications. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to beincluded within the scope of the present inventions. Othersubstitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may be made in thedesign, operating conditions and arrangement of the preferred and otherexemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the presentinventions.

1. A conformable vehicle display, comprising: a curved transparentsubstrate adapted to be coupled to a vehicle component having a curvedexterior surface; and a flexible display screen coupled to thesubstrate, at least a portion of the display screen being separate fromthe exterior surface of the vehicle component, the flexible displayscreen having a luminescent display; wherein the exterior surface isvisible through the flexible display screen and the substrate when theflexible display screen is not activated.
 2. The conformable vehicledisplay of claim 1, wherein the flexible display screen is a matrixdisplay.
 3. The conformable vehicle display of claim 2, wherein theflexible display screen comprises an organic light emitting diodedisplay.
 4. The conformable vehicle display of claim 3, wherein theflexible display screen comprises a transparent organic light emittingdiode display.
 5. The conformable vehicle display of claim 1, whereinthe exterior surface of the vehicle component comprises a fabric.
 6. Theconformable vehicle display of claim 1, further comprising a trim layerincorporated into the substrate between the vehicle component and theflexible display screen.
 7. The conformable vehicle display of claim 6,wherein the trim layer is molded into the substrate.
 8. The conformablevehicle display of claim 7, wherein the trim layer is a fabric material.9. The conformable vehicle display of claim 1, wherein the vehiclecomponent is an instrument panel, a door, a pillar, or a side trimpanel.
 10. The conformable vehicle display of claim 1, wherein thesubstrate comprises acrylic.
 11. The conformable vehicle display ofclaim 1, wherein the flexible display screen is coupled to a surface ofthe substrate facing the vehicle interior.
 12. The conformable vehicledisplay of claim 11, wherein the flexible display screen is fastened tothe substrate.
 13. The conformable vehicle display of claim 1, whereinthe flexible display screen is incorporated into the substrate.
 14. Theconformable vehicle display of claim 13, wherein the flexible displayscreen is disposed in a recess in the substrate.
 15. The conformablevehicle display of claim 13, wherein the flexible display screen isinsert molded into the substrate.
 16. A vehicle instrument panel,comprising: a curved base surface; a fabric layer coupled to the basesurface; a transparent curved substrate coupled to the base surfaceabove the fabric layer; and a flexible transparent organic lightemitting diode display screen coupled to and matching the curvature ofthe substrate above the fabric layer, wherein the fabric layer isvisible when the display screen is off.
 17. The vehicle instrument panelof claim 16, wherein the organic light emitting diode display isincorporated into the substrate.
 18. The vehicle instrument panel ofclaim 17, wherein the organic light emitting diode display is disposedin a recess in the substrate.
 19. The vehicle instrument panel of claim16, wherein the organic light emitting diode display is insert moldedinto the substrate.
 20. The vehicle instrument panel of claim 16,wherein the organic light emitting diode display is coupled to a surfaceof the substrate facing an interior compartment of a vehicle.
 21. Thevehicle instrument panel of claim 20, wherein the organic light emittingdiode display is fastened to the substrate.
 22. A method of making avehicle display, comprising the steps of: providing a vehicle component,a transparent curved substrate, and a flexible light emitting display;coupling the light emitting display to the substrate; and coupling thesubstrate to a textured exterior surface of the vehicle component. 23.The method of claim 22, further comprising the step of molding the lightemitting display into the substrate.
 24. The method of claim 22, furthercomprising the step of molding a fabric layer into the substrate betweenthe flexible light emitting display and the exterior surface.
 25. Themethod of claim 22, further comprising the step of creating a recess inthe substrate, wherein the light emitting display is coupled to thesubstrate by placement into the recess.
 26. The method of claim 22,wherein the light emitting display comprises an organic light emittingdiode display.
 27. The method of claim 22, wherein the exterior surfaceof the vehicle component is fabric.
 28. The method of claim 22, furthercomprising the step of providing a fabric layer incorporated into thesubstrate between the vehicle component and the flexible display screen.29. The method of claim 22, wherein the vehicle component is aninstrument panel.